Shibuya Crossing is the beating heart of modern Tokyo, a place where the city’s extraordinary energy is compressed into a single intersection. When the traffic lights turn red in all directions and the walk signals flash green simultaneously, up to 3,000 people surge into the crossing from every angle, weaving past each other with an almost choreographed precision that somehow never results in collision. It is a mesmerizing spectacle of organized chaos that has come to symbolize Tokyo’s unique blend of order and intensity.

The area surrounding the crossing is equally electrifying. Towering LED screens bathe the streets in neon light, the iconic Shibuya 109 department store anchors the fashion district, and the statue of Hachiko — the famously loyal dog who waited for his owner at this station every day for nine years — draws visitors to the station’s main exit. Nearby streets are packed with everything from high-end boutiques and record shops to ramen joints and tiny standing bars tucked beneath the railway tracks.

Pro tip: For the best overhead view of the crossing, head to the Shibuya Sky observation deck on the rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square, or grab a window seat at the Starbucks on the second floor of the Tsutaya building directly overlooking the intersection. The view at night with all the neon reflections is unforgettable.